Kingdom's Bloodline, page 8
"First of all, we must remove Quide from the sixth house while there is no one outside. Although he is super heavy, we can't let anyone know that his death is related to us within the next few hours."
"After that, Sinti, start spreading word to everyone, discreetly. You must not let anyone know that you are deliberately spreading it. Tell everyone that, at the bottom of the moat on the left side of the fourth house, five of the thorns are lose. Remove them and use a slab of stone or something to press the remaining two thorns down. That way, we can escape from the houses."
Sinti was surprised. "You... you found the secret passage in the moat?"
"Secret passage?" Ryan and Coria also looked as if they were shocked.
Thales did not reply but tapped Sinti's shoulder instead and said, "Go."
The secret passage was not dug by some senior child beggar with great abilities.
This so-called secret passage was dug by Thales twice per week while he went off to beg at the Western City Gate, which always allowed him to return late. Using a dagger, tree vines, linen, and a corrosive agent from the pharmacy, he dug secretly for four years.
It was totally like "The Shawshank Redemption" in Errol.
As for that myth, it was just sheer illusion.
There was never any savior, was there?
Thales patted Sinti's shoulder again, and the latter nodded his head. As he was about to turn, he scratched his head like he suddenly thought of something, then with a voice filled with doubt, he asked,
"Why do we have to tell everyone? Can't we just escape by ourselves? If there's a lot of people, everyone will be fighting to get ahead and that will slow us down."
'No,' Thales thought. 'The Brotherhood are not stupid. Every single street and corner in all three lower districts are full of their spies. Even the outskirt area outside the Western City Gates is full of their lackeys. For a few child beggars who are not even ten, even if we manage to escape, it's very difficult to escape the Brotherhood.'
Thales' original escape plan was due to be carried out in half a year. Within that time, he would have been able to completely gauge the pattern and rhythm of the Brotherhood's spies that were placed between the third lower district and Red Street Market. He would have also obtained materials from Sunset Pub and Grove Pharmacy, greatly increasing their chances of escape.
As long as they can reach the Red Street Market.
But right now… right now, it was not the best opportunity at all.
However, for survival, they must escape immediately. Disasters always strike unexpectedly, did they not?
That was why he must turn the sixth house's private escape plan into a collective commotion of all the child beggars.
If the children in the sixth house were the only ones missing, it would be too obvious, and the Brotherhood would swiftly track them down. With more people, although their escape would be slow, it was safer and more discreet.
However, if he were to explain these reasons one by one…
Thales raised his head and looked at Sinti. His piercing gaze made the latter a little uncomfortable.
"Sinti, do you remember the pact that we made four years ago?"
Sinti was momentarily stunned before he lowered his head in thought.
When he looked up again, his gaze spoke of determination.
"Of course." Sinti looked at Thales, whose height only reached his shoulders, and said slowly, "You do all the thinking, and my job is to carry them out."
Thales nodded solemnly.
"Let's escape together!"
…..
Jala Charleton idly watched the last customer exit Sunset Pub, then she rose lazily to clear his glass.
There were few customers today, especially members of the Brotherhood. most of them were dispatched to become part of that "big operation". Even the cook, Edmund, had left with a chopper. Apparently, he was going to return a debt of gratitude.
The old man had not returned for a long time, either.
'Boring.'
Jala glanced at the wall clock, it was half-past three in the morning—still a little early.
But then again, the clock was a little slow.
'That clock is super old,' thought Jala, 'even the rear compartment that holds the Eternal Oil is rusty. Carelessly mixing Eternal Oil with rust drastically reduces its efficiency.'
She had to think of a way to convince the old man to spend some money and get a new clock.
Although Sunset Pub had plenty of businesses, no tax officers from the town council ever came to collect any tax.
("For the sake of the king, I will give the tax collector two of my middle fingers!"–Jala)
There were no clueless idiots who came to collect protection fees either.
("Each of you pay a hundred coppers, and I will protect your fingers from being chopped off by me. What do you think?"–Jala)
Even their stocks were obtained at a discounted price through Black Street Brotherhood's internal sources.
("Nayer Rick, as the person in charge of accounts, quickly tell our brothers lying on the floor and this knife of mine what price you will be offering us for the stock. Hmm?"–Jala)
Surely, they can afford to spend some money on a new clock?
That stingy old man.
Jala shut the front door and finished up work at the bar counter. She then set down her apron and wash cloth, tightened her leather pants, blew out the Everlasting Light on the front counter (such an ironic name) and walked into the kitchen. It was still a little early today. Based on practice, after finishing up her training, there would still be…
The next moment, Jala's countenance turned cold and harsh.
She immediately lowered her body and bent her knees into a position where she can exert energy easily. The Wolf Limb Blade on her thigh was in her left hand in the blink of an eye.
The tip of the knife flew forward like lightning.
*Tong!*
The Wolf Limb Blade had savagely hit a beer barrel!
Only a small part of the blade stood out of the barrel, the handle still shaking.
"Ah!" A little girl screamed in alarm.
Jala slowly straightened herself, sheathed the other Wolf Limb Blade in her right hand back into her boot, then lit the Everlasting Lamp beside her.
The light flooded the dim kitchen and revealed a few small figures.
"Jala, er…" Thales, who was scared stiff by the thrown Wolf Limb Blade, forced a smile and raised his quivering right hand before he waved unnaturally. "Hi… it's me."
Jala glared coldly at him, still silent.
Her gaze was both piercing and frightening. Coria moved her body closer to Thales in fear.
Jala suddenly walked towards them.
Thales could feel the three child beggars behind him take a step back.
"I know," Jala said coolly, "otherwise, I would have aimed at something else other than the beer barrel."
Jala went in front of Thales and yanked the Wolf Limb Blade, which was two inches away from Thales' left ear, out of the beer barrel. As if demonstrating her power, she flourished the blade around before putting it back in her boot.
"And, you brat…"
Thales rolled his eyes inwardly and raised up his hand in reflex to protect his forehead.
But a slim finger was already poking firmly on it.
"Ah! Ouch!"
"You must call me big sister Jala!"
…..
"I didn't see Edmund when I came in through the back door, so I decided to check out the kitchen…"
They were now at Sunset Pub's cellar. The three other child beggars were leaning against huge sacks filled with food. Although they seemed restless, they did their best to dig into the pieces of white bread in their hands. It had been a long time since they had good food like this.
Further away from them, Thales sat on a beer barrel that was twice his height. He was on eye level with Jala Charleton, who crossed her arms and had a leg against the wall. She was languid, but still exuded her signature confidence.
If he were still in his past life, Thales would have slowly admired her from top to bottom. He would then raise his head to look at the sky while savoring the memory and marveling at the world's beauty.
Heh, you were wondering about what Thales would be doing after that? Bullshit. Of course, he would return home alone and do whatever he needed to do.
As for now? Sorry, but his body was still too young for that.
"Get straight to the point. Why did you come to me?" Jala's countenance was still cold, and she immediately went straight to the point.
Thales was used to that. He first met Jala four years ago at the rubbish heap behind Sunset Pub. This "big sister", who was only about eighteen or nineteen at that time, was already talking and acting that way.
He knew that this was just who she was.
"Quide went crazy and killed almost half the child beggars in the Abandoned Houses."
Thales spoke solemnly while clenching his fists.
'God. Damn. It.'
Ever since Jala saw that these child beggars were covered in wounds, she already had her suspicions regarding what happened earlier.
Without batting an eye, she started cursing Rick inwardly. 'This accountant, I knew that nothing good would come out of you forcing Chaca Wine into Quide's mouth.
'Why did I agree to it, all for ten gold coins?
'Half the child beggars.
'Ten gold coins?'
Jala's expression dimmed.
Besides… this incident will definitely anger the Brotherhood.
"No one came to stop him, nor did anyone rescue us. We had no choice but to escape by ourselves," Thales said gravely, the incident from a few hours ago replaying in his mind.
Jala said nothing and looked at him glumly.
In the end, Jala closed her eyes and sighed.
"I get it, you guys can hide here for a day. Don't worry, with me around, that gorilla wouldn't dare to come here. If he comes, I will cut off his d*ck- I mean, hand."
Jala glanced at the other three child beggars and frowned. She could tell the new injuries apart from the old ones, especially the child whose right hand was wrapped in a piece of cloth.
"When Edmund returns, I will ask him to find Rick and the others from above. Having done something like this, Quide won't be able to escape—this bastard, why did he not die earlier?"
Jala suddenly felt dispirited. She lowered her leg to the floor and stood up.
Thales' gaze darkened. He looked at the three child beggars and took a deep breath, then looked towards Jala.
"There's some big operation going on in the Brotherhood today. I guess that's why the defences and patrol systems are lax. To be able to escape, you guys must have… Ah, forget about it. I'll go get some medicine, and if you guys need a doctor- wait, brat, are you okay?"
While Jala was busy talking to herself, she suddenly realized that Thales, who was standing in front of her, did not look right. His body was also full of injuries. His clothes were torn to pieces, and his right sleeve had fresh blood on it.
Wait.
This brat's gaze…
Looked a little off.
Jala went in front of Thales and dragged him off the beer barrel. She then kneeled and held Thales' shoulder while looking straight into his eyes.
Jala's gaze suddenly turned somber and urgent.
"Brat, you… What happened to you?"
Thales was a little afraid to look at Jala's eyes. However, in a mere few seconds, he managed to compose himself and firmly raised his head.
Thales could hear his own voice. It was calm as usual—without a tremble.
"Jala, Quide is dead…
"I killed him."
Chapter 7: JC |
Five hours ago.
Lorbec Deira, forty-three years old, was a Class One director of the city defense team, the Western Police Station, and he was responsible for safeguarding the western side of Eternal Star City.
Twenty public security teams, police officers of various ranks from the entire center, and countless civil servants. These people were all under his subordination.
Over a hundred police officers armed with superior, compact equipment such as riot control sticks, mini crossbows, and anti-force shield. Almost three hundred high-quality soldiers armed with anti-mystic equipment such as anti-mystic swords, arched light shields, Eternally New Armors, and spell-breaking bows and arrows. Finally, he had twenty Swordsmen of Eradication as elite garrisons. All of them answered only to his command.
All of this was seldom heard of for a low-level noble, especially since Lorbec's father was only a little lord in the western part of the country, Keira County.
If he had not associated himself with the Covendier family, he would not have become Eternal Star City's Director of Department for Western City Police Station at such a young age. In this splendid relationship, where he pledged fealty to the Covendier family and obtained an official position in return, there was only one tiny imperfection.
He was responsible for six patrol areas in Eternal Star City: the three western districts, and the three lower districts.
Yes, those were the frontlines of the bloody battle between the Blood Bottle Gang and the Black Street Brotherhood.
A tiny imperfection.
Imperfection?
Nonsense!
Goodness gracious, this was a total calamity!
Oh, he was also responsible for the patrolling of the Western City Gate along with the safety of the streets.
As he took over the position, his white-haired predecessor warned him.
"You must remind your followers: even when they lead a team and exit the barracks, pass through the western districts, the lower districts and head towards the Western City Gate…"
That was right, his predecessor believed that the public security teams who were responsible for keeping the western portion of the city safe could only patrol at the Western City Gate, and that police officers could only enforce the law there.
"You must remember-
"For the sake of your money, when you pass by the three western districts, you must be polite and friendly.
"For the sake of your life, when you pass by the three lower districts, you must be careful and pay attention to your steps.
"For the sake of your position, when you reach the Western City Gate, you must be conscientious, energetic and ready for action!"
Lorbec soon understood why.
The Blood Bottle Gang, who were active in the three western districts, had deep roots within the district and a lengthy history. They had a lot of dubious relations with powerful people in the court and regularly pay significant sums as "tribute" to the city defense team. That was why for the sake of their wallets, whenever they passed by the western districts, they had to be friendly and full of joy, turning a blind eye to whatever the gang did.
The Black Street Brotherhood who forcibly occupied the three lower districts was ruthless and violent. Half the unsolved crimes in the kingdom were linked to them. They did not go easy on the officers either. That was why, for the sake of survival, when passing by the lower districts, they had to be alert and observant—they must move fast and not linger without reason.
The Western City Gate was Eternal Star City's façade, all the important people from foreign countries, various nobles, temple officers, and adventurers would pass through the gate while visiting Eternal Star City. Plenty of foreign affairs disputes, royal power struggles, religious clashes, and civil conflicts took place there. The elders of the monarchy kept a close eye on the Western City Gate too. That was why, for the sake of their positions, when they carried out their duty there, they must be fair, professional, and willing to selflessly serve the people.
Having said that, in the three years since Lorbec took over the position as director of Western City Police Station, half of his hair had turned white, and the wrinkles on his face increased by three lines. And because of his erratic schedule, his wife protested constantly by giving him the silent treatment in bed, and it was understandable why she did so.
Right now, Lorbec was sitting in his office, gazing out the window at the moonlight with a worried expression.
He did not want to work overtime either, but a big shot decided to pay him a visit, and he had no choice but to work overtime.
Also...
It was not the work he was worried about, it was the brainless man working for him in front of him.
Kohen Karabeyan.
The twenty-two-year-old Kohen was promoted to Class Two police officer cum third public security team's leader two months ago. He had managed to do this due to several factors.
One, his fighting skills were exceptional even when compared to the Swordsmen of Eradication.
("It would be even better if I can defeat that lunatic Miranda."–Kohen)
Two, his status was also unbelievably prestigious.
("Ha... old man, it would be even better if you were the king, then I could be a prince- Ouch, dad! Why are you hitting me?"–Kohen)
Finally, his military experience was hard to come by among young nobles. After he was discharged from the military, he became Western City Police Station's elite.
("Damned old man! I didn't even sign anything, why was I 'discharged'? You must have shamelessly- Ouch! Why are you hitting me again?!"–Kohen)
("They all say that it's because I have a good dad. But, old man, you must be surer than anyone else that I obviously don't have a good dad- Ouch, ouch! Old man, if you hit me again, I won't talk to you anymore!"–Also Kohen).
At this moment, Kohen was wearing a neat and stately officer cap. A few strands of beautiful blonde hair could be seen behind his cap. His blue Constellation uniform enveloped him snugly, accentuating his balanced, muscular physique, and he wore non-reflective black army boots. Combined with his determined, handsome, and heroic countenance, he was undoubtedly the "lady killer" of the capital.
'What a pity, if only I were twenty years younger or dispatched to Eternal Star City earlier, the noblewomen would probably be screaming for me, too.' These were Lorbec's thoughts as he daydreamed.
That was because the young and heroic "lady killer" was speaking non-stop with a tone full of honor. He firmly explained his opinions to Director Lorbec while patting on his own chest resolutely, as if trying to convey his determination to his boss.
